Dog license deadline looms

December 10, 2008

Pennsylvania dog owners have until Jan. 1 to apply for 2009 dog licenses, according to Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.

State law requires that all dogs three months or older be licensed by Jan. 1 each year. An annual license is $8 and a lifetime license is $51. If the license is for a spayed or neutered animal, the annual fee is $6 and a lifetime license is $31, according to the state Department of Agriculture. Discounts are available to senior citizens and people with disabilities.

All dogs must be licensed. Failing to license a dog is a summary offense punishable by a fine of up to $300. Licenses are issued by county treasurers.

A list of county treasurers and a downloadable license application is available online at www.agriculture.state.pa.us/padoglaw. The Somerset County Treasurer’s Office is located in the Somerset County Office Building, 300 N. Center Ave., Somerset.